Sullivan headlines HOF class

Pat Sullivan, Auburn University’s first Heisman Trophy winner and a multi-sport star at John Carroll High School in Birmingham, headlines the 2012 class selected for induction into the National High School Hall of Fame in July.

Sullivan was considered the top football player in the state of Alabama in his junior and senior seasons from 1967-68 as the quarterback at John Carroll Catholic. He was a two-time all-state selection and was named the top player in the nation by one publication.

Sullivan was named all-state twice in basketball, averaging 18 points per game, and in baseball as the team’s shortstop.

At Auburn, he led the Tigers to a 26-7 record in three years as the team’s quarterback, winning the 1971 Heisman Trophy. He played parts of seven seasons in the National Football League before launching his college coaching career.

After serving as an assistant at Auburn and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and head coach at Texas Christian University, Sullivan was named head football coach at Samford University in 2006.

Sullivan said he was humbled and a bit overwhelmed by the news of his selection. Already a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, he said the selection into the NFHS Hall of Fame was indeed special.

“I really enjoyed my time as a high school athlete,” said Sullivan. “I was fortunate to have great high school coaches and teachers and wonderful parents who helped guide me.”